Hopkins Medicine suspends black lung X-ray service

BALTIMORE — Johns Hopkins Medicine says it has suspended a service in which radiologists give second readings on X-rays of coal miners seeking benefits for black lung disease.

Hopkins announced the suspension Friday. The medical institution had provided the service for a federal agency for 40 years.

The suspension comes after a report this week by ABC News and the Center for Public Integrity questioning Hopkins' interpretations of X-rays.

Hopkins said in a statement that it was conducting a review as a result of the report and that the program would be suspended until the review is completed.

Earlier this week, Hopkins defended the service its radiology department provided for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, saying it knew of no medical or regulatory authority that had challenged its diagnoses.